Let me just preface this with, I. Am. An. Idiot.

I honestly thought this was a totally different book when I requested it on NetGalley (I thought it was Scot and Bothered by Alexandria Kiley) and did not realize that it was in fact a Christian romance. Which, no shade to anyone who reads that, whatever floats your boat right? But I had no inclination whatsoever to venture there as my religious views have been all over the place as I've grown up. ANYWAY, I didn't figure all of this out until I was approved and then I started to panic a bit. BUT I did see it was narrated by one of my all time favorite narrators, Stina Nielsen so I thought I'd give it a go.

TW: Grief

Katie Campbell has been assigned to visit Scotland for an Edwardian Experience by her boss. As a well known travel writer, Katie has been many places and has gathered a significant online following, but most she's mostly famous for her hiccups and accidents that happen on her travels. Trouble has a way of following Katie wherever she goes but she makes the most of it with lots of humor. Graeme is trying to save enough money to renovate his family's estate home while also caring after his late sister's son. He's 2 years out of an engagment that went wrong right around the time of his sister's death. He's not sure if he's ready to open his heart again until Katie Campbell literally lands on him.

I found Katie's humor so infectious and cute. The way she doubted herself a lot was easy to imagine after the horrible relationship with her parents was revealed. I really felt for her. Graeme was just the right sort of grumpy Scot we needed. He was so yum in how he cared for Katie and how he fed off her humor as well. I loooooved Katie's relationship with Lachlan too, gah he was beyond adorable. Honestly this story was stupid cute! Even if it was labeled as a Christian romance I did not feel like I was preached at, it was very subtle in how it was brought into the story.

Like I said previously, Stina Nielson is a favorite author and she did an excellent job here as expected. I also loved the male narrator, Joshua Manning, his accent was so enticing and I thought he did a great job with his tones and inflections. I will definitely listen to him again!

Overall a really cute romance that could be listened to or read in a day. It was just a nice slice of cozy funny romance that really made me want to visit Scotland someday! Thank you so much to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for gifting me this ALC in exchange for an honest review!

I love Pepper Basham’s writing so much! It is funny and delightful, but also encouraging and inspiring. I especially enjoyed her focus on beauty and hope after loss. Full of heart and found family, it feels like a warm and comforting hug.

Ideal for anyone who loves Scotland, historical TV series, awkwardness, or unexpected romance.

Huge thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the opportunity to enjoy this audiobook. The narrators were really fantastic!!

I recently listened to the audiobook of Some Like It Scot, an advanced reader copy by Pepper Basham. As a Scottish woman, I was excited by the Scottish theme and hoped to feel a deep connection to the story. While the descriptions of the Scottish Highlands were lovely, the overall narrative fell short of my expectations.

The dual POV format featured a male narrator whose performance kept me engaged, but unfortunately, the story itself lacked depth. The connection between the main characters felt bland and forced, making it difficult to invest in their relationship. The writing often came across as clunky, which would likely pose a challenge in a physical reading.

Repetition was a recurring issue, particularly around Scottish myths and the female main character’s height, which overshadowed her character development. It became difficult to stay focused on the plot, as I found myself drifting off during parts that should have captivated me.

Additionally, I didn’t realize that Basham is a Christian author, and the religious imagery woven into the narrative wasn’t aligned with my preferences. The Scottish theme that initially drew me in ultimately felt superficial, as if the author had simply compiled a list of Scottish facts rather than fully immersing herself in the culture.

Overall, while Some Like It Scot had the potential to be a charming read, it fell flat for me. It lacked the depth and authenticity I was hoping for, leaving me disappointed.

3.5 stars
Pepper Basham makes you feel like you're truly in Scotland in this low-angst Grumpy/Sunshine slow burn.
Katie Campbell is a successful and likeable travel writer. Over six feet tall and missing all the grace, she is often clumsily falling into misadventure--her hallmark. But blunder after fumble, her positivity never takes a hit. So when she literally falls into the arms of grumpy Scotsman Graeme MacKerrow, she's a little taken aback at his gruffness towards her. But time after time, Katie falls and Graeme is there to catch her. And Graeme, who keeps things close to the chest, and would be just fine to never leave his small village home, can't help but want more-- with Katie, and for himself.

I didn't realize until I requested this book that it was a Christian romance--not my preference. And while it was slow-burn and low spice, it wasn't over the top churchy, so I found no issue with that. Clean language is no problem, but I WAS getting a little annoyed at the amount of times Katie referred to her butt as her "softest spot," and to her body figure as a "cello." There are other ways to get the point across with being so redundant.

In addition to having low angst and spice, there was really no major climax. Sure, the will-they-won't-they went on until the final chapter, but there didn't seem to be much at stake. Petty rivals and long-forgotten exes made there appearances, but the book would be no different without these antagonists.

Overall it was a nice, safe, clean read. Just not my cup of tea.

This is a Cristian Travel Romance Story!

This book follows American travel blogger Katie who seems to have a knack for getting into sticky situations. Katie arrives in Scotland and meets Graeme MacKerrow.

* Travel
* Grief
* Found Family/Community
* Slow burn

This is not my typical go-to genre, however I was drawn in by the blurb, and cover. The ALC was Narrated by Joshua Manning and Stina Nielsen who were great. The Scottish accents were entertaining and helped bring the story full circle.

Thank you NetGalley & Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for this ALC in exchange for this review.

With a deceptively cheesy title, Some Like it Scott is a sweet romance with emotional depth, and a great sense of wanderlust.

Katie and Graeme’s relationship is a slow burn, as Graeme’s ancestral home is invaded by a ragtag group trialing an ‘Edwardian experience’. There’s a lovely blend of humour and whimsy, as both Katie and Graeme are thrown out of their comfort zones. This is balanced with subplots relating to sibling relationships and loss, which really pulled at the heartstrings (especially after reading the authors note). A cosy, adventurous, swoony and heartwarming read.

I enjoyed this both as an audiobook and ebook. The production value of the audiobook was great, and the accents of the narrators really enhanced the sense of two worlds colliding. The story was well paced, and the varied cast of characters was well dramatised, leading to an immersive reading experience.

Thank you Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for an advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

📖 What to expect:
• Travel (Scotland)
• Found Family
• Wholesome, cosy vibes
• G-rated romance
• Christian themes/practices
• Exploration of grief
• Discussion of body size/shape

✏️ Summary:
In the wake of a tragic family loss, Graeme MacKerrow just wants to be left alone to focus on saving his ancestral home. Hosting an Edwardian Immersion Experience was not part of his plan, and when accident-prone travel-writer, Katie Campbell is thrown into the mix, the result is as heartwarming as it is chaotic.

♥️ My thoughts:
I loved the dual narration of this audiobook and found that Joshua Manning's accent helped to immerse me in the story's Scottish setting. The exploration of grief in this book really touched my heart, particularly in the context of the author's note.

Categorised as Christian Fiction, there are religious themes and practices in the story, and the romance is what I would consider to be G-rated. Potential readers should be aware that this book does also contain discussion of body image and size. Overall, I enjoyed the found family and cozy, wholesome vibes of this book.

Thank you to author Pepper Basham, Thomas Nelson and Zonder Fiction for providing me with a copy of the "Some Like It Scot" audiobook, for review.

A closed door romance occurring in Scotland? Sign me up.

While that is exactly what I got, it was a little tooo on the nose for my liking. What I mean is that the book did an excellent job at describing the Scottish setting; in fact it was so well done I felt like I was there. But that left less time to develop the characters and therefore I just didn’t care about them very much. They also came across as too immature at times. Also, while I applaud closed door romances this one was a little too heavy on the religion for my personal preference

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 Stars (Outstanding)
Setting: Scotland
Genre: Christian Rom-Com

If ever a book deserved to be called a love letter to adventure, Scotland, and the unexpected twists of the heart, Some Like It Scot by Pepper Basham is it! From the first page, I was utterly swept away by Katie Campbell’s vibrant, chaotic, and laugh-out-loud misadventures, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Scotland’s misty moors and craggy coastlines.

Katie is the kind of heroine you can’t help but adore—bold, funny, and wonderfully real. Her enthusiasm for new experiences (despite their inevitable disasters) makes her the perfect contrast to Graeme, the brooding and fiercely loyal Scot whose world is as structured and rooted as hers is wild and untethered. Their chemistry crackles with tension, warmth, and just the right amount of slow-burn romance to keep you turning pages long past bedtime.

And the setting? Pure magic. The immersive Edwardian experience, the rich Scottish folklore, the tartan-clad woodworkers (yes, please!)—every detail transported me straight into the story, making me want to book a flight immediately. The secondary characters, including a scene-stealing macaw and a meddlesome co-worker, add layers of humor and heart that make this novel feel like home.

At its core, this is more than just a romance. It’s a story about belonging—about finding home not in a place, but in the people who see us for who we truly are. With a perfect blend of humor, heart, and sizzling romance, this book is a must-read for anyone who loves a fish-out-of-water adventure, a grumpy/sunshine love story, and a swoony Scotsman who might just steal your heart along with Katie’s.

#netgalley, #somelikeitscot #booked_this_weekend

I read this pretty quick and unfortunately I never got round to the review because I don’t have a great deal to say about it.

It was just ok…..

It was semi cute, I loved she was a normal woman with normal insecurities she was taller then most not so skinny and well just normal, she was a relatable fmc.

She is a travel writer and he owns the manor it wasn’t the best book I read I put this down to my romance taste has change a lot and I guess if I was just starting romance books this would of seemed so much better the. It was.

I will say though being English I loved it was in the highlands because it felt so much more closer to home.

Thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review

Some Like It Scot
By Pepper Basham

Some Like It Scot is a fun Romantic Comedy set in Mull, Scotland. Katie is a traveling journalist, focusing on everyday life. Katie is also prone to accidents following her every step, hence her column is called “Miss Adventures”. After her Grandfather passed away, Katie felt a connection to his family’s home country. Katie has the opportunity to write about an Edwardian experience in Mull.

Graeme is a surly scot, who keeps saving Katie. Graeme has taken over the role of buying back his family’s land and taking care of his Nephew. Prone to keeping others at a distance after heartbreak, Katie keeps ending up in his arms with all of her misadventures.

Katie and Graeme are well acquainted with heartache, each losing their sisters. Katie is trying to find a place called home. Graeme is learning to open his heart again.

I listened to Some Like It Scot on audio. Joshua Manning and Stina Nielsen do an absolute amazing job. I rate the audio 5/5 stars.

I give Some Like It Scot a 4.5/5 Stars. I really enjoyed the quirkiness of the misadventures. I appreciate how Pepper walks her characters through grief.

The Release date for Some Like It Scot is April 8, 2025.

Thank you Netgalley, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the opportunity to listen to Some Like It Scot.

I read the paperback and then listened to the audiobook to bring this story to life. So fun!

This review may be a jumbled of mess of ramblings because truthfully I loved the story so much I can't figure out how to put that love on the page. Plus I don't want to give too much away. But here you go anyway...

Katie is a traveling blogger, a pun queen, and a source of what I can only assume is bad luck, that she twists into instant fame. She needs this job here in Scotland for her career but also for her personal growth. She's here for an event but also because it reminds her of her Grandparents, the closest thing she had to a "home." Graeme is the owner of the place where the event is taking place, hes also the contractor making the repairs, the Scottish hero ( you'll see why soon enough), the butler lol, a dance partner, and a man who will change Katie's life... but little does she know that just yet. She literally falls into Graemes grumpy arms and from there they instantly butt heads. But there is a thin line between love and hate... and the more time they spend together those feelings soon morph into something more real!

How Pepper Basham manages to have me laughing one second, crying the next, swooning over a Graeme moment, or at the edge of my seat waiting for all the feels... Idk how she does it! I was on an emotional roller coaster, and I did not want to get off! Lol! You all, I just can't sum up this book is words, there are none. I went in looking for a Scottish romance and boy did I get that. But gosh, it also just spoke to my heart a bit, spoke to my faith, my path in life, healing, growth, and moving on. And gosh the two main characters phew... Graeme is grumpy on the exterior but such a sweet soul on the inside. And Katie is so confident and happy on the outside, but she is second-guessing, insecure, and running away from her situation, scared that if she settles down , life will disappoint her again. Both of them are operating on fear, something their loved ones have been telling them they have been doing. But they don't realize it, until they meet each other....

Just for fun....
Random quotes completely out of context:
(This was an ARC, so quotes may change after the book is released)

"I was under the influence of hot Scotness . . . or Scot hotness."

"Parrot in the drawing room with a hairband.”

“My Morning as an Edwardian Burrito.” Perfect title for an article.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

DNF before 10%. The audiobook narrators had awkward timing, flow and expressions. And the accent of the MMC is an absolute NO

Also what is with the writing? It is so stiff and juvenile sounding I felt like I was reading a creative writing submission and not a published work that was edited.

I struggled with the pace and tone of the first half of the book. I almost DNF’d it. However, the second half of the book made the story for me and made it a 3 star! I ended up loving Katie & Graeme’s story. The characters are very well developed and have that tortured soul history that makes you root for the couple. It very much has grumpy-sunshine vibes. The pace is much better the second half of the book if you hang in there. There is wanderlust, travel, grief, self awareness, self discovery, and love. I think if the first half of the book was reworked so that the plot feels smoother, this could have been a 3.5 star for me!

An American travel writer takes on the assignment of her life, returning to her grandparents’ roots in Scotland. Never having had roots of her own with a rough family life & always moving around, Katie doesn’t know how to sit still. When she takes on the assignment at Craighill House, she meets the curmudgeonly Graeme, a burly Scottish man raising his nephew. Soon Katie’s walls begin to come down and she finds a home in the last place she expected.
I appreciate that this was a cozy and interesting romance without spice. It made it easier to focus on the storyline. The narrators for the dual POV were great!
Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Fiction Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Sweet story, loved the descriptions of Scotland and the characters were cute. This was a bit too religious for my taste. This is a very clean romance.

Narrators were fantastic. They did an excellent job and the accents were perfect.

I received an arc from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Some Like It Scot is the eighth book I have read written by Pepper Basham. Ever since reading Authentically, Izzy, Pepper Basham has become an instant read. I have absolutely loved everything I have read, and some Like It Scot was no exception. I was sucked in from the very start and could not put the book down.

The character development was good. I loved getting to know each character and learning more about each one. Katie was absolutely hilarious. I loved her clumsiness and knack for getting herself into predicaments. It made for the perfect rom-com. Graeme was the perfect grumpy character. I loved getting to see behind the façade and peel back the layers. There were a lot of side characters; at times, it was a little hard to keep them state in my imagination.

The storyline was so fun. I loved that it is set in this Edwardian Experience/B&B in Scotland. Katie being a travel writer, gets invited to experience it all. Little did they know she wasn’t the average girl. The book was very entertaining and funny.

The relationship between Katie and Graeme was sweet. One thing I know I am going to get from Pepper Basham is passionate kisses, and it was present in this book as well. Some scenes were a little on the border for me and my preference. (ie referencing imagining what’s under clothing) scenes can easily be skimmed over. Other than that, clean, low-spice, closed-door romance. I enjoyed the grumpy/sunshine relationship dynamic. It was a fun read for me.

There were faith elements intertwined throughout the novel.

*I received a complimentary copy from the author and voluntarily chose to review it. All opinions are my own.

Thank you, Pepper Basham and NetGalley for this audiobook ALC.

When Katie Cambell takes her "misadventures" to explore her heritage in Scotland, will she finally understand what home really means?

This story explored grief in a positive way and I appreciated the author's viewpoint on life after loss.

One area that left me wanting more was an update on the mannor house! Did they ever turn it into a wedding venue? Also, I would love to read more about Graeme's author brother.

Loved the narrators, especially Graeme's reader. Gotta love an accent when listening to an audiobook.
4/5 Stars

I’d like to preface this with I likely would not have requested this ARC had I looked into the author a bit more prior to the approval. I don’t believe she is a terrible person by any means, but I’ve gathered that we have some differing opinions and I typically avoid reviewing books when that is the case- however my review is based solely on the book and not on any of the authors social media posts!

This book was fine, I definitely enjoyed aspects of it, but I feel like it had more potential than was actually delivered on. I felt that the book was just too detailed to the point where there would be pages describing one thing or another that just wasn’t necessary to the plot. I would say this detail led to a bit of boredom on my end and to me it felt like it took away from the plot. One thing that reallllyyyyy bothered me was that there was a heavy focus on the FMCs body shape and her height because most of it was focused on it in a negative manner and it never really veered into her accepting and loving herself in a way that felt personal to the FMC and not based in other people complimenting her. Also I understand this is a Christian book, but calling her butt “bottom cello” and her breasts “top cello” was wild. This was consistent throughout the book and it made my eye twitch everytime. It is not inappropriate to use anatomical words.

I love a character with an accent and I love it even more when it’s an audiobook. Katie Campbell, the leading female character, has just enough quirk and sunshine to make her the perfect match for grumpy Scot (and lead male) Graeme MacKerrow. This was such a fun read, and my first from Pepper Basham. Thank you Thomas Nelson Fiction, Zondervan Fiction Audio, and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced audiobook copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!